Discover how to create authentic 70's drum breaks with top drum vst's like BFD 3, Addictive Drums 2, Abbey Road 70s Drummer, Teletone Tympo and Uvi Soul Drums.
Why 70's Drum Breaks Still Matter In Modern Production
The 1970s drum sound was all about groove, warmth and personality, Think the deep pocket of James Brown “Funky Drummer” The massive sound of Led Zeppelins “When the Levee Breaks” and the dry tight sound of Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder.
Unlike today's hyper quantIsed kits, 70s breaks were human, imperfect and dripping with analog character. As a Producer, nailing that vibe is a secret weapon, especially in hip hop, funk, revival, lofi and soul sampling.
BFD 3: The Ultimate Realism for 70's Kits
Best For: Producers who want a hyper realistic, customizable vintage drum sound.
Sound Engine: Deeply multisamples kits with natural mic bleed and room ambience.
Vintage: Pair it with the BFD vintage expansion for Ludwig & Gretsch kits from the era.
Control: Adjust close mics, overheads and room levels just like a real console.
Workflow: Ideal for drummers or producers who like to program beats from scratch.
Pro Tip: Mimic 70s drums, Gate your room mics slightly, roll off highs at 12khz and add tape with saturation at 15IPS.
Addictive Drums 2: Versatility Meets Vintage
Best for: Producers who want flexibility across genres
Sound Engine: Punchy and polished sound with multiple mic perspectives
Vintage Packs: Retroplex and vintage dry expansions nail the 70s rock and funk tones.
Workflow: Great for quickly swapping between dry funk snares and big rock kits without loading new plugins.
Pro Tip: Use the built in tape and saturation FX for instant warmth before hitting your mix bus.
Abbey Road 70s Drummer: The Iconic Room Sound
Best For: Producers chasing the exact sonic character of classic 70s records
Sound: Recorded at Abbey Road's legendary studio two with period correct Ludwig and Premier Kits
Strengths: The natural ambience of the rooom
Workflow: Excellent for programmed grooves that still feel human.
Pro Tip: Pan your overheads hard left/right. like early early stereo mixes, for a wider, more vintage image.
UVI Soul Drums: 70s Soul & Funk in a box.
Best For: Producers chasing buttery smooth soul grooves and deep pocket funk
Sound: Recorded through classic analog consoles with era specific mics and outboard gear.
Vintage Strengths: perfect for Al Green style backbeats, Curtis Mayfield shuffle grooves and buttery r&b breaks.
Workflow: Huge preset library with both raw and processed kits, so you can go from authentic dry tones to lush reverbs instantly.
Pro Tip: Use multitrack mode to process kick, snare and overheads separately, just like you would with a real console.
Teletone Tympo: Instant Retro Drum Breaks
Best For: Beatnakers who want pre made vibey grooves, ready to chop.
Sound: Pre processed, warm and dusty, like crate dug breaks.
Strengths: Built in loops with genuine 70s swing and feel.
Workflow: Minimal tweaking, maximum vibe.
Pro Tip: Resample grooves into your daw, chop into smaller phrases and rearrange them for unique variations.
| Producer Type | Best Choice | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Realism Junkie | BFD3 | Mic control + authentic vintage expansion packs |
| Quick Loop Chopper | Teletone Tympo | Instant dusty breaks with minimal setup |
| Genre-Hopper | Addictive Drums 2 | Flexible kit swapping + built-in tape warmth |
| Authenticity Purist | Abbey Road 70s Drummer | Recorded in the legendary Studio Two |
| Soul & Funk Specialist | UVI Soul Drums | Analog-smooth tones for R&B, soul, and funk grooves |
Final Thoughts
Modern plugins make it easier than ever to recreate authentic 70s drum breaks. no need for expensive studio time or rare vintage gear. Whether you're a sample based hip hop producer, a funk revivalist or just want that warm analog punch these vst's deliver the goods.